A 15-YEAR-OLD schoolboy armed himself with an extending baton because of threats he claimed were being made by an older boy, a court heard.

A court was told the baton was taken off the boy by the headmaster at Beardwood High School, Blackburn, who immediately informed the police.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Blackburn youth court to possession of an offensive weapon on school premises.

The case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and the boy was bailed until December 7.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said the headmaster was told by another member of staff that the boy was believed to have a weapon in his possession.

When interviewed by police the boy said he took the weapon to school because he was being threatened by another pupil.

He said he was only going to threaten the other youth and did not intend to hit anybody.

"According to the head teacher that explanation was investigated and was found to be incorrect," said Mr Harrison who revealed that the boy had previous convictions for robbery and attempted robbery.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said the youth was adamant that he was being threatened by an older and larger youth.

District judge Peter Ward adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report.

He said it was clear the object had no other purpose that to be an offensive weapon.